The nation is buzzing with outrage as the FBI, under Director Kash Patel, launches criminal investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan for their roles in the controversial Trump-Russia probe of 2016. Sparked by a referral from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the probes target alleged wrongdoing, including possible false statements to Congress, tied to what President Trump calls the “Russia hoax.” X is ablaze with polls asking, “Do you support the FBI’s criminal investigation into Comey and Brennan?”—racking up thousands of votes and heated debates. With Trump slamming both as “crooked as hell” and critics crying political retribution, this saga is a political firestorm. Is this justice for a rigged witch hunt, or a chilling attack on dissent? Dive into the chaos—this story is too explosive to miss!
The investigations, reported by Fox News on July 9, 2025, stem from Ratcliffe’s declassification of a “lessons learned” review of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), which claimed Russia sought to influence the 2016 election to favor Trump. The review, while not disputing the ICA’s core findings, criticized its rushed process and “procedural anomalies,” particularly the inclusion of the discredited Steele dossier. Ratcliffe’s referral accuses Brennan of lying to Congress about the dossier’s role, alleging he pushed its inclusion despite objections from CIA analysts. Comey’s probe, though less clear, focuses on his oversight of the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation, which probed Trump campaign ties to Russia. DOJ sources describe their actions as a potential “conspiracy,” fueling MAGA calls for accountability.
Trump, speaking at a White House event on July 9, didn’t hold back, calling Brennan and Comey “very dishonest people” who “may have to pay a price.” His base, amplified by influencers like @mirandadevine and @RepEliCrane on X, cheers the probes, claiming the duo “manipulated intelligence” to sabotage Trump’s presidency. Posts like @CRRJA5’s declare they “purposely corrupted” the ICA to weaponize it against MAGA. The declassified CIA review, released by Ratcliffe, notes Brennan’s insistence on including the Steele dossier—despite its unverified claims—undermined the ICA’s credibility. A 2016 email from a deputy CIA director to Brennan, recently declassified, suggests he ignored analyst objections, prioritizing “narrative consistency” over evidence.
But the other side sees this as a dangerous vendetta. Brennan, in an MSNBC interview, called the probe “a tragic example of the politicization of the intelligence community,” denying any contact from the FBI and defending the 2016 work as “the best of what the CIA is made of.” Critics, including @ACLU on X, argue the investigations are retaliation against Trump’s perceived enemies, pointing to Patel’s book, “Government Gangsters,” which lists Brennan and Comey on an “enemies list.” The Washington Post notes that multiple prior probes, including Special Counsel John Durham’s, found no criminal wrongdoing by either, with Durham charging only low-level officials. Legal experts, like former FBI executive Greg Brower, say the lack of new evidence makes charges unlikely, warning of a chilling effect on independent investigations.
The Steele dossier’s inclusion remains a flashpoint. The CIA review admits it wasn’t used for the ICA’s core conclusions but was annexed to the report, a decision Brennan defended in 2023 congressional testimony, contradicting earlier statements. Comey, who briefed Trump on the dossier in 2017, faces scrutiny for his role in “Crossfire Hurricane,” though specifics are vague. X users like @RodDMartin claim both shared the dossier with over 200 officials to ensure leaks, crippling Trump’s early presidency. Yet, a Senate investigation and Durham’s report found the dossier’s handling was debated, with Brennan and others limiting its role to avoid embarrassment to Trump.
The political stakes are massive. Trump’s allies, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, celebrate the probes as exposing “disgraceful individuals.” But with only 53 Republican Senate votes, convictions seem unlikely, and critics warn of eroding trust in institutions. Polls on X, like @TheRiftTV’s, show a split: MAGA demands “no mercy,” while others, like @msnbc, call it authoritarian overreach. The truth? The ICA’s flaws don’t negate Russia’s interference, confirmed by Mueller’s report, but the dossier’s inclusion was a misstep that fueled distrust. Will these probes deliver justice or deepen division? Join the X frenzy and vote—your voice matters in this explosive showdown!
